Case for electrophonic instruments



FebQ 11, 1941. c. T. wElR 2,231,235

CASE FOR ELECTROPHONIC INSTRUMENTS Filed Nov. 9, 1938 haga/M nNVNToR@m55-wrm TS wma Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 3Claims.

This invention relates to electrophonicv stringed instruments.

It is an object of the invention to simplify the task of the musicianwho is called upon to give a number of recitals during the days work, by

providing a portable case which may house builtin amplifying and speakerunits, as well as the instrument itself.

A further object of the invention is to so fashion the instrument casethat it may be used as an easel for sheet music, so that theinstrumentalist may have readily available the music, the electricalcontrols of the device, and the necessary accessories for aiding inplaying the instrument.

The invention will also be found to reside in the location of the loudspeaker in a position where best acoustic effects may be obtained, andin other structural features which are kmore specifically described inthe accompanying specification and drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a. side elevation of the case in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the case in open position;

25 Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the case, as

viewed in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the small cover section showing theledge attachment; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the volume control attachment.

The case I0 includes a rectilinear body I I having an open side I2 whichis closed by a pair of hinged cover sections I3 and I4. The larger ofthe cover sections I3 is connected by hinges I5 to one of the long sidesI6 of the body, and thus it is adapted to open laterally. The coversection I4 is connected fby hinges II to the end wall of the body. Thesection I3 carries a protective weather strip I8, which covers theadjacent margins of the section I4 when in closed position. Clasps 20,of the usual type, are provided to fasten the sections to the body, andthe body is provided with a centrally located carrying handle 2I.

A rest 22 is mounted on a support 23 at one end of the body compartment,while a bracket 24 containing an angular notch 25 is secured to thecorner of the opposite end of the body. These members serve as a.support for a guitar 21, or other stringed instrument, the sound box orhead 21a thereof being positioned in a form fitting pocket 22a in therest 22, and the tongue board 2lb being received in the notch 25 of thebracket 24.

An amplifying unit 30 is secured within the (Cl. 20G- 13) body to theside I6 in a position where it clears the supported guitar. The bottomwall 3I ofn the body contains a circular aperture 32 located oppositethe cover section I4, and it is covered by a speaker unit 33.

As Will be seen in Fig. 1, the case I0 containing the guitar andelectrical units, is in convenient form to be carried from place toplace, as its bulk, due to the compact arrangement of the enclosedelements, is but little larger than the usual instrument case.

On location, the guitar is removed, and the case is positioned on itsend 33, as shown in Fig. 2, with the large hinged cover section I3 swungopen to provide a support. The section I4 is likewise swung open to afixedposition limited by a hinged brace 34, and thus it forms aninclined easel for the reception of sheet music. The instrumentalist isseated behind the open case, where the controls of the electricalelements are conveniently available. In addition, the cover section I 3is supplied with a pocket 35, wherein may be stored the sheet music,which is available for selection and positioning on the easel sectionI4. The section I4 at its lower edge I4a carries a pair of studs 38 forreceiving the slotted portions 39 of a ledge member 40. When the case isopened, the member 40 is raised to the position shown in dotted lines inFig. 4, where it serves as a support for the sheet music. The member 40is formed with a tail piece 4I, which, when in retracted position, abutsthe end of a leaf spring 42 secured to the interior of the section I4.The spring is formed with a curved seat portion 43 which engages thetail piece when the ledge member is moved to its operative position, andthus retains it against accidental displacement. It will be observedthat the adjoining ends or walls I3a, I4a of the cover sections and thebody of the ledge member 40 are notched to clear the neck 21o of theguitar when the case is closed.

In the operation of the loud speaker unit, it will be observed that thecase positions it in an elevated position, which is desirable for properacoustic effects. The operation of electrophonic stringed instruments isso well known in the art that it is not deemed necessary to showspecific circuits, and the like. In the present device, the amplifyingunit 30 is connected to a power source S through a cord 50, while theelectrical portion of the guitar is connected to the unit 30 by a cord 5I, as shown in Fig. 3.

When playing the instrument, 'it is advantageous to free the hands ofthe labor of adjusting the volume control of the unit 3U. This is Cilaccomplished by providing a spring-pressed lever 55, which is pivoted asindicated by the numeral 56 to the rest 22 (Fig. 3). The projecting arm5l of the lever carries a rod 58 which extends upward for connectionwith an arm 60, which is secured to the pintle 6| of the tone controlinstrumentality of the unit 30. As best shown in Fig. 5, it will beobserved that a pedal 62 is pvotally mounted on the arm 5l' of the lever55, and it is formed with a lug 63 which engages the lower side of thearm 5l', and thus unites the pedal and lever for unitary downwardmovement. When it is desired to close the case, the projecting pedal @2is swung upward to an unob-4 structive position.

It will be apaprent to those skilled in the art that the arrangement ofelements and the general design of the case may be varied in accordancewith the shape of the instrument and the character of the electricalunits without departing from the inventive concept, as set forth in thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. An elongated rectilinear instrument case having a bottom and anopposed open side, said bottom being formed with an aperture adjacentone end thereof, electrically connected ampliying and speaker unitsmounted within the case with the speaker unit disposed over the apertureof the case bottom, said amplifying unit including an adjustable controlinstrumentality, means for removably supporting an electrophonicstringed instrument within the casing, a ilexible electrical connectionbetween the instrument and the amplifying unit, a laterally hingedclosure for the open side of the case, said closure when open beingadapted to serve as a support when the case is positioned on an endopposite said speaker unit, control operating means comprising a pedalsupported within said last named end of the casing and having anextensible section movable to a position exterior of the casing when theclosure is opened, and a mechanical linkage between said pedal and saidcontrol instrumentality of the amplifying unit,

2. An elongated rectilinear instrument case having a bottom and anopposed open side, said bottom being formed with an aperture locatedadjacent one end thereof, electrically connected amplifying and speakerunits mounted within the case with the speaker unit disposed over theaperture of the case, a supporting structure within the oppositeextremity of the case for removably receiving the head of anelectrophonic stringed instrument, other supports in the casing locatedadjacent said units for receiving the tongue board of the instmment, aflexible electrical connection between the instrument and the amplifyingunit, and a laterally hinged closure for the open side of the case, saidcase being adapted to be stood on said last named end with said closurein open position sewing as a supporting element.

3. An elongated rectilinear instrument case aving a bottom and anopposed open side, said bottom being formed with an aperture locatedadjacent one end thereof, electrically connected amplifying and speakerunits mounted within the case withthe speaker unit disposed over theaperture of the case, a supporting structure within the oppositeextremity of the case for removably receiving the head of anelectrophonic stringed instrument, other supports in the case locatedadjacent said units for receiving the tongue board of the instrument, aflexible electrical connection between the instrument and amplifyingunit, a pair of cover members coope erating to close the open side ofthe case, one cover member being hinged at said iirst end of the case,the free extremity of said first cover member having a marginalprojecting member secured thereto to provide a support for sheet music,braces in the case for supporting the rst cover member in an angularopen position to provide a music easel when the case is supported on itsremaining end, the second cover member being hinged to the case forlateral opening movement whereby when in open position it serves as asupporting structure for the case. CHESTER T. WEIR.

